Violin/George Klotz violin circa 1900

I am thinking about purchasing the above violin.Could you tell me if it is in fact a George Klotz.Thanks.

Regards,

George Monaco"

AnswerHi Mr. Monaco,

Thanks for your question. I'm afraid it's not. Although his violins were known for having a poor quality varnish, they were never this bad, and never with such a mis-matched coloring, front to back. Furthermore, George Klotz died in 1737. If this violin contains a label that gives the Klotz name and the date of 1900, it is most likely stating that this is a copy of a Klotz violin, made in the year 1900.

Expertise

Please Note: For an accurate appraisal of your instrument's value or history, I must advise you to take it to a local luthier or string shop for an evaluation. It's really not possible to do this with any accuracy via email.

However, I am happy to answer other questions about violins, bows, violin playing, and violin/bow repair. I can also talk with you about what bows, rosin, strings, cases, shoulder rests, etc. might work best for you and your particular instrument. (There are some great new products on the market.) I've taught violin and fiddle playing for the past 18 years and will answer questions about playing and technique.

Experience

I've been studying the violin for over thirty years. I started teaching in 1996. In addition to my training at Lebanon Valley College and at the Violin Institute, I handle violins, bows, and customer questions of all sorts on a daily basis in my shop - J.S. Fisher Violins, www.fisherviolins.com.

OrganizationsNAAM, ASTA

Education/CredentialsI hold a Bachelor of Music degree from Lebanon Valley College, as well as certificates in violin repair, violin maintenance, and bow rehairing from the Violin Institute at the University of New Hampshire.